Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Pharmacists struggling to obtain most common cold and flu medicine'

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies has said pharmacists have been "struggling to obtain the very basic, most common cold and flu medicine."

She told the PA news agency that the shortage wasn't around "just the branded medicines" but "also simple things like throat lozenges, cough mixtures or pain killers - particularly the ones that are soluble."


Stating that the sector was finding it very difficult these shortages she said "those people who are in charge of supporting us with it are denying it."

"The demand has been high because this season we've seen higher cases of colds and flu and people are obviously trying very hard to look after themselves and making sure that they use the relevant products to manage the symptoms.

"And that has led to a shortage of these products in terms of us not being able to obtain them."

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Dr Hannbeck showed a photo of depleting stocks of medicines for common cold and flu in a pharmacy amid rising demand and supply chain issues.

Dr Hannbeck said the ongoing shortage of vital medicine was "part of a bigger issue – from HRT to antibiotics to this, we are constantly finding ourselves in a situation when as soon as the demand for something goes up we are struggling with the supply."

She blamed the shortage on the officials at Department of Health and Social Care, especially their inability to foresee the problems.

More For You

Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aspire Pharma acquisition boosts access to essential medicines for NHS patients in the UK

The acquisition is expected to further drive the company’s growth.

gettyimages

Aspire acquires UK distribution rights from Tetris

Aspire Pharma Limited, one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialty niche generics companies, has announced the acquisition of UK distribution rights to a number of products from Tetris Pharma, a subsidiary of Arecor Therapeutics.

These include products used in the treatment of bacterial infections—such as injectable and intravenous antibiotics—as well as a medicine indicated for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less